Browsed byCategory: Side Dishes

Cauliflower is a wonderful ingredient to cook with. This cruciferous vegetable has a mildly earthy and nutty flavor. It’s easy to cook, a nice source of vitamin C and quiet filling as vegetables go.

I try to incorporate vegetables in most meals, but once a week I like to highlight them in my Meatless Mondays. It is a simple way to not only diversify the week’s meals, but also experiment with whatever seasonal vegetables tickle your fancy at the moment.

The are many ways to cook with cauliflower. Simply roasting with olive oil, salt + pepper will result in a nice gold brown texture which enhances the nutty flavors. Combined with the sweetness from the caramelized onions and the tangy tahini sauce- you have yourself a flavor explosion made from a few simple ingredients.

Directions:Place cauliflower florets + onion in a baking sheet.
Add herbs, sprinkle with salt, pepper and red chili flakes, then drizzle with olive oil.
Using your hands, mix ingredients well until everything is evenly covered with oil.
Bake in a 375 degree oven for 25-35 minutes or until golden brown.

Over the years I’ve enjoyed many delightful meals with my friend, Anjali. We both like beautiful and healthy food but never compromise flavor! So we teamed up for our next video to cook a delicious menu of panko crusted Dijon Cod fish and a fragrant Mediterranean salad with fresh herbs.

The fish is light and flaky with a tang of Dijon and cooks in a snap. The cucumber-tomato-feta salad is savory, fragrant and colorful. Pair that with a chilled Rose and fantastic company and you got yourself a fabulous meal!

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Combine panko, 1 teaspoon olive oil, zest of lemon and a pinch of salt + pepper in a bowl. Mix.
Squeeze juice of lemon on the cod.
Drizzle cod with remaining 2 teaspoons of olive oil and spread evenly on the fish.
Slather cod with Dijon mustard.
Cover all of the mustard with panko mixture.
Bake in oven for approximately 15-20 minutes until panko is slightly golden.

Prepare the salad while the fish bakes.
Chop onion and place in a bowl of water to reduce sharpness.
Combine chopped tomato, cucumber, red pepper, olives, feta cheese and mint.
In a separate bowl prepare dressing.
Finely chop the garlic and combine with red wine vinegar.
Slowly drizzle in olive oil while whisking quickly.
Add onion to salad mixture.
Pour dressing over the salad and fold gently to mix.

Directions:
Generously salt your ribeye steak on both sides.
Pepper is not required, but I use fresh ground pepper as well.
Put aside.

Prepare potatoes.
Add baking soda and salt to water in a pot, bring to boil.
Add potatoes to boiling water and cook for approximately 20 minutes (until soft enough that a fork goes through easily).

While the potatoes boil, prepare the asparagus.
Cut thicker fibrous bottoms of asparagus spears (approximately 1 inch).
Using a peeler, shave each stalk into “ribbons” (this looks really pretty!)
Place in a bowl.
In a separate bowl, combine red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, salt + pepper for the dressing.
Drizzle in olive oil while you whisk into dressing, until creamy.
Pour dressing over asparagus and fold gently to spread evenly across.
Let sit and put aside.

Take cooked potatoes out of boiling water and place on baking sheet.
Pat dry.
Using a potato masher (or bottom of a bottle), SMASH each potato down, flattening out the little bud.
Drizzle potatoes with olive oil.
Sprinkle with a small pinch of salt and pepper.
Grate Parmesan cheese over each potato. Use as much as you like, about 1-2 table spoons per potato.
Place potatoes in a 350 degree oven for approximately 20 minutes or until golden brown.
You can turn on the broiler for a couple of minutes at the end to brown the top for extra crispiness.

While potatoes bake and asparagus marinates, we go back to our steak.
Heat your cast iron pan in the oven or stove top until it is super hot!
This is the trick to getting that nice sear on the outer part of your meat.
Place steak in super hot skillet and don’t mess with it for at least 30 seconds.
Cook on first side for approximately 3-4 minutes.
Flip your steak and sear the other side for another 3-4 minutes.
Add butter (or a couple of tablespoons of olive oil) to the pan along with fresh rosemary, thyme and garlic.
Note- using olive oil does mean a bit of smoke in in the kitchen when dealing with high heat.
Using pot holders, lift pan and tilt to one side so melted brown butter or oil gather.
Slowly spoon the brown butter over the steak multiple times.
The gorgeous flavors of the herbs and garlic marry with the steak for an awesome flavor.
Remove steak from the pan and LET IT REST for about 10 minutes. This is super important!
You want the meat to rest for juices to redistribute throughout the steak. Otherwise, you’ll lose all the juicy goodness when you cut into the steak prematurely.
Once rested, slice your steak cutting against the grain.

I love eggs. It is one of the most versatile ingredients in the kitchen and I’ve enjoyed learning different ways of working with it. From a humble omelette to a sumptuous souffle, the options of what you can make with eggs are infinite. For those of us who are not vegan, eggs are an excellent wellspring of nutrition in a single source- eggs provide proteins, antioxidants, fatty acids, amino acids, and vitamins and minerals.

Omelettes are great on weekends, like this Scallion and Mushroom Turmeric Omelette we love. On weekdays the classic hard boiled egg is my go to for either topping a salad for lunch or an express breakfast on busier days.

Ralph Waldo Emerson said “There is always a best way of doing everything, if it be to boil an egg.” I 100% agree with that statement. Here I share with you what I consider the best way to make hard-boiled eggs. It will be one the simplest and most satisfying dishes you make. And since here at Basil and Roses we love flowers so much, we present our eggs shaped like one! It’s just beautiful and we think it will put a smile on your face.

The key to perfect hard-boiled eggs is to NOT boil them. You read correctly.

Directions:
Place eggs in water in a pot and cover with lid.
Make sure eggs are covered with at least 1 inch of water.
Bring water to boil.
As soon as water starts boiling, turn off the stove.
For a softer yolk, let sit for approximately 5 minutes.
Then run under cold water, peel and enjoy.
For the perfectly firm yolk, let sit for 10 minutes before running under cold water and peeling.
Sprinkle with sea salt (or regular salt) and fresh black pepper.
To present like the beautiful flower above-
Cut 2 eggs in half, then cut the half into a quarter and arrange like a flower on the plate.

Plato said “Beauty of style and harmony and grace and good rhythm depend on simplicity.” This presentation and the incredible miracle that is the egg are two great examples of that notion.

Something salty compliments eggs well. Feta cheese is a great choice.
Here I served the eggs with a typical Persian breakfast of Feta, Tomato, herbs and pita (noon o paneer o sabzi!)

I think avocado is the most magnificent fruits in the world! It is rich, creamy, earthy, nutty, and savory. Avocados also have great health benefits. The list is long but to name a few they are high in potassium, good fats and they are one of the few high protein fruits. I love it’s creamy texture and use it as a substitute for butter or oils often. And of course, nowhere is the beautiful avocado highlighted more than in a classic guacamole! I don’t use garlic or tomato’s in my recipe, but feel free to add them if it makes you happy…

P.S. This recipe also works really well for avocado toast. It’s excellent on toasted sourdough bread with a couple of slices of tomato and a pinch of sea salt. Yum!

Forget store-bought salsa and with a few simple steps make your own tasty Salsa Fresca!
In Spanish, pico de gallo literally means the “beek of the rooster.” An internet search led me to several colorful explanations for the etymology of the term, but mostly urban legends and no definitive answer. According to Wikipedia “in Mexico it is sometimes called salsa mexicana (Mexican sauce). Because the colors of the red tomato, white onion, green chili are reminiscent of the colors of the Mexican flag, it is also sometimes called salsa bandera (flag sauce).” So there you go.

Now, let’s make some yummy flag sauce! This is a party favorite to be enjoyed as a dip with chips, and it ends up being great on tacos, nachos, burritos, grilled chicken… and so on.

Directions:
Chop tomato, onion, jalapeno, parsley and cilantro.
Combine ingredients in a bowl and add lime juice, olive, S+P.
Taste the salsa while you are mixing. Adjust lime or salt based on your personal preference.
I like to start light and add if needed.
Enjoy with tortilla chips while you’re making the meal, but leave some for the fish tacos!

This was the first time I made this and it ended up being great. I love using red cabbage for it’s beautiful color, slightly bitter and peppery flavor and many health benefit- Vitamin C, A, K and dietary fiber to name a few. It adds a nice crunch to the otherwise soft textured fish taco and marinated in a honey-lime-cumin vinaigrette it became a great addition to our fiesta!

In case you’re wondering, it’s called “Azi’s Slaw” because my beautiful sister Azadeh was a big help in the recipe testing of this dish. She has always been a dream sous chef, putting up with my colorful antics in the kitchen… Thanks, Sis!

Ingredients:
1 whole red cabbage, cut into quarters and sliced into ribbonsFor the vinaigrette-
1/2 cup olive oil
1 tablespoon honey (adjust to taste and add more honey if you prefer the dressing sweeter)
1/3 cup lime juice
2 garlic cloves, mashed with the side of a knife
2 teaspoons cumin (plus a pinch just because I LOVE cumin!)1 teaspoon paprika (smoked paprika is even better if you have it)
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper

Directions:
Combine lime juice, garlic, cumin, paprika in a mixing bowl.
Slowly add olive oil as you whisk dressing together.
Adding oil slowly while whisking helps emulsify the dressing so it won’t separate (science, baby!).Add salt + pepper to taste as you go along, adjust as needed.
Add dressing to cabbage and mix well.
Let sit for 20-30 minutes. It gets better after it sits for a while.*It was even better the next day when we had the leftovers with chicken.

My beautiful Mother Edna is one of my greatest inspirations- in life and in the kitchen. In life she is and always has been an incandescent source of light + love and my rock. In the kitchen, she is a creative genius. Cooking with my Mother has always been a pure source of joy for me and I have learned much from her over the years. She makes amazing dishes and somehow manages to always keep it healthy yet interesting. She is the master of creating Persian dishes, but balances that with new and modern recipes. There is never a dull moment in Edna’s Kitchen and thanks to her, many lovely meals have been enjoyed in our family Home.

Much like in Italian culture, in a Persian family you show people how much you love them with food. Combine that with the generous magnanimity of the graciousness of Persian hospitality and every gathering becomes magical. I grew up in a home in which my parents embraced that sentiment along with a deep passion to make the people we love happy by bringing them together and hosting beautiful meals. The pots and pans in that kitchen are exhausted! I can’t tell you how much work and effort they’ve been a part of over the years. I love these pots… so many meals, so many trips to the market, so many onions peeled, so many glasses of wine filled… so many memories, so much hard work and ultimately, so much love.

One of many cabinets filled with heavy duty pots and pans. More than kitchen utensils, they have been the vessels through which Mom’s beautiful cooking has messenger-ed her love for gatherings, people, family and friendship.

Given her exceptional skills in the department, our Mom (whom we adoringly call Duda) is usually cooking for us. On rare special occasions, I get to cook for her. This past Mother’s day was one of those special days. And in true Duda character of originality and unpredictability- she asked for Fish Tacos! When Mama asks for a Mexican Fiesta, she gets the best Fiesta! In this post I share with you the fun menu we enjoyed. It’s not an easy task, but Duda was pleased. Not only with the fish tacos, but also with sharing another delightful meal with her family, in her kitchen of pots, memories and laughter.

Fish tacos, how we love them so… truly one of my favorite things to eat. I enjoy indulging in crispy fried versions once in a while, but in general prefer a healthier baked or grilled version. With the immense flavor of this tequila-lime recipe nothing will be lost, promise! There is just something so gratifying about a good fish taco. All you need is a white flaky fish, a zesty salsa with a kick, guacamole, a crunchy slaw and of course a nice amount of citrus and spice and everything nice!

My family loved this recipe and I hope you enjoy it too. With summer just beginning, this is the perfect dish to make for warm afternoons in the backyard served with a refreshing margarita!

Directions:
Cut fish into smallish pieces (approx 3-4 inches long).
Make the marinade by combining tequila, lime juice, olive oil, cilantro and jalapeno, S+P in a bowel.
This smells amazing! The alcohol burns off during cooking but the tequila flavor is awesome!
Place fish in the marinade and cover. Let sit for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
In the mean time, you can make the fun accompaniments for the tacos.
Once marinaded, place in preheated oven of 325 degrees F.
Bake for approximately 20 minutes.

I think avocado is the most magnificent fruits in the world! It is rich, creamy, earthy, nutty, and savory. Avocados also have great health benefits. The list is long but to name a few they are high in potassium, good fats and they are one of the few high protein fruits. I love it’s creamy texture and use it as a substitute for butter or oils often. And of course, nowhere is the beautiful avocado highlighted more than in a classic guacamole! I don’t use garlic or tomato’s in my recipe, but feel free to add them if it makes you happy…

P.S. This recipe also works really well for avocado toast. It’s excellent on toasted sourdough bread with a couple of slices of tomato and a pinch of sea salt. Yum!

Salsa Fresco

Forget store-bought salsa and with a few simple steps make your own tasty Salsa Fresca!
In Spanish, pico de gallo literally means the “beek of the rooster.” An internet search led me to several colorful explanations for the etymology of the term, but mostly urban legends and no definitive answer. According to Wikipedia “in Mexico it is sometimes called salsa mexicana (Mexican sauce). Because the colors of the red tomato, white onion, green chili are reminiscent of the colors of the Mexican flag, it is also sometimes called salsa bandera (flag sauce).” So there you go.

Now, let’s make some yummy flag sauce! This is a party favorite to be enjoyed as a dip with chips, and it ends up being great on tacos, nachos, burritos, grilled chicken… and so on.

Directions:
Chop tomato, onion, jalapeno, parsley and cilantro.
Combine ingredients in a bowl and add lime juice, olive, S+P.
Taste the salsa while you are mixing. Adjust lime or salt based on your personal preference.
I like to start light and add if needed.
Enjoy with tortilla chips while you’re making the meal, but leave some for the fish tacos!

This was the first time I made this and it ended up being great. I love using red cabbage for it’s beautiful color, slightly bitter and peppery flavor and many health benefit- Vitamin C, A, K and dietary fiber to name a few. It adds a nice crunch to the otherwise soft textured fish taco and marinated in a honey-lime-cumin vinaigrette it became a great addition to our fiesta!

In case you’re wondering, it’s called “Azi’s Slaw” because my beautiful sister Azadeh was a big help in the recipe testing of this dish. She has always been a dream sous chef, putting up with my colorful antics in the kitchen… Thanks, Sis!

Directions:
Combine lime juice, garlic, cumin, paprika in a mixing bowl.
Slowly add olive oil as you whisk dressing together.
Adding oil slowly while whisking helps emulsify the dressing so it won’t separate (science, baby!).Add salt + pepper to taste as you go along, adjust as needed.
Add dressing to cabbage and mix well.
Let sit for 20-30 minutes. It gets better after it sits for a while.*It was even better the next day when we had the leftovers with chicken.

Who doesn’t love a citrusy fresh margarita! A natural addition to our Mexican themed celebration but also a fun drink to make all summer long for those hot weekend afternoons to enjoy with chips and dip and friends.

Skip the high sugar content margarita mixes and make this fresh version at home. You can either use agave nectar, honey or make a simple syrup in minutes. I usually use agave nectar, but since this was a celebration we indulged a bit by using sugar. No biggie, everything in moderation! Just combine 1/2 cup sugar in 1 cup water in a saucepan and cook on medium heat until sugar dissolves. It only takes a few minutes.

Directions:
Place all ingredients in a pitcher with lots of ice and mix.
Adjust to taste, if you like it a bit sweeter, add more simple syrup.
If you prefer to use agave nectar or honey, use a cocktail shaker to mix for better results.
Run a wedge of lime across the top of cocktail glasses. Then dip in a plate of salt to salt the rims of your glass (optional).
Pour into cocktail glasses and top with a splash of sparkling soda (optional).
This recipe makes approximately 4 servings, double up if you’re entertaining.*Note- You can reduce the amount of tequila if you prefer less alcohol. Just have fun with it!

I love quinoa and use it often in my recipes. I like the health benefits of this gluten-free, high fiber content, magnesium and iron rich seed which also happens to be one of the most protein rich foods we can eat. The Incas discovered the seed around 4 thousand years ago, which they believed increased the stamina of their warriors. In the last decade, Quinoa has grown in popularity and is considered a “super food!” Quinoa is not a grain. It’s actually a seed that is related to the spinach and beet families. And although I don’t believe it’s a cardinal sin to eat carbs (as seen in my reviews of these restaurants), I do enjoy the rice like feel of quinoa without the heavy feeling of carbohydrate-rich foods.

Quinoa is a great item to have in the pantry- it can be used as a side on its own or, mixed with veggies and proteins. Here is a personal favorite of mine, mixed with a kind of deconstructed ratatouille... enjoy!

While the veggies roast, cook the 2 cups of quinoa in 4 cups of water.
It will cook in approximately 20 minutes.
Stir occasionally and fluff with a fork when done and all the water has evaporated.
In a separate bowl, combine quinoa with veggies.
Add your favorite nut. I especially like sunflower seeds or walnuts in this recipe.
Give the mixture a squeeze of lemon and more salt + pepper to taste.

Voila you’r done! This dish is great on it’s own as a vegetarian option or can be served as side.

Note-I sometimes keep a bit of the roasted veggies aside and make a pita pocket with it the next day. Just add hummus and pickles and you have a totally different dish that’s supper yummy for an instant lunch the next day!

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This is where my passions collide. Food, Flowers, Fashion, Family, Beautiful Things and the influence of my Persian culture that seems to be the poetic filter I see the world through. Read More about “About Me”…